Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday held high-level talks in Mumbai, agreeing on a wide-ranging roadmap to boost trade, investment, technology, and innovation ties between India and Britain.
Focus on Trade and Jobs
The two leaders discussed measures to deepen economic relations, creating jobs and attracting investment flows. Modi said, “The path-breaking India-UK CETA (comprehensive economic and trade agreement) will create new job opportunities for youth, expand trade and benefit both our industries as well as consumers.”
Both leaders expressed hope for early ratification of CETA, with Starmer noting that his visit aimed to “double down” on the potential of the deal, expected to take effect within a year. “When we leave India tonight, I expect that we will have secured major new investments creating thousands of high-skilled jobs in the sectors of the future,” he added.
Connectivity, Aviation and Education Links
The joint statement confirmed work on renewing the India-UK Air Services Agreement, opening new opportunities in the aviation and aerospace sector. Both leaders also welcomed the expansion of UK university campuses across India, strengthening education ties.
A key highlight was the launch of an India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, focused on 6G networks, Non-Terrestrial Networks, and telecom cyber security, backed by £24 million joint funding in its first phase.
They also announced an India-UK Joint Centre for AI, aimed at developing responsible applications in health, climate, fintech, and engineering biology.
Critical Minerals Collaboration
Both sides agreed to set up a Critical Minerals Industry Guild, expanding partnerships in supply chain resilience and green technologies. Phase 2 of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory will broaden mineral coverage and include a satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad.
The agreements cover joint investments in a climate-tech startup fund, new partnerships in renewable energy, an offshore wind task force, and expanded collaboration in health research.
In biotechnology, UK and Indian institutions including CPI, BRIC, IISc, HRI, and Oxford Nanopore will collaborate on cutting-edge fields such as biomanufacturing, 3D bioprinting, and genomics.
Strengthening Strategic Bonds
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to harnessing critical and emerging technologies to drive inclusive growth, enhance national security, and shape global innovation. Building on the Technology Security Initiative, they stressed the growing importance of India-UK cooperation in frontier areas from AI to health tech.